Don't Take The Bait
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
Matthew 4:8-9
It sounds so dumb when you read it like this. More fairytale than reality (not saying it is). As if anyone would take the bait, let alone Jesus.
And yet, we take this bait everyday. Oh probably not Satan’s offer of all the kingdoms of the world… but maybe some other subtler ones.
For instance:
Date this non-Christian and you’ll be happy.
You need all your money for yourself - otherwise you might not be secure.
Put yourself first and if you have the energy - do something for others.
You’ll feel so much better if you don’t go to Bible Study.
I could go on.
This is what Satan does. He lies. Jesus calls him the father of lies. But what’s worse is, lots of the time, we believe his lies. And it costs us.
It costs people true happiness because they shipwreck their faith for the sake of finding ‘love’ or sexual gratification. It costs people anxiety because they let money rule their life. It costs people service and others joy because we just look after ourselves. It costs people maturity because they don’t grow.
What’s the devil lying to you about today?
Remember this. He has no interest in your good.
For Today:
Pray:
Matthew 4:8-9
It sounds so dumb when you read it like this. More fairytale than reality (not saying it is). As if anyone would take the bait, let alone Jesus.
And yet, we take this bait everyday. Oh probably not Satan’s offer of all the kingdoms of the world… but maybe some other subtler ones.
For instance:
Date this non-Christian and you’ll be happy.
You need all your money for yourself - otherwise you might not be secure.
Put yourself first and if you have the energy - do something for others.
You’ll feel so much better if you don’t go to Bible Study.
I could go on.
This is what Satan does. He lies. Jesus calls him the father of lies. But what’s worse is, lots of the time, we believe his lies. And it costs us.
It costs people true happiness because they shipwreck their faith for the sake of finding ‘love’ or sexual gratification. It costs people anxiety because they let money rule their life. It costs people service and others joy because we just look after ourselves. It costs people maturity because they don’t grow.
What’s the devil lying to you about today?
Remember this. He has no interest in your good.
For Today:
- Do you believe in Satan?
- What lies have you believed in the past?
- What’s he lying to you about this week?
Pray:
- Praise the Father that He is the Father of truth.
- Give thanks for Jesus Christ who has overthrown Satan and rules with love.
- Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others resist the temptations of evil.
Posted in Matthew
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